Aug. 24, 2010
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QB Garrett Gilbert
On the importance of the scrimmage: It’s going to be a really good to see where we are exactly right before the season and kind of make a few last minute adjustments before the first game, so it’s something that we’re really looking forward to as a team as a benchmark for us.
On what he wants to see happen in the scrimmage: I would like us to continue to run the ball, continue to improve in the passing game and with our play action and that sort of stuff, so just kind of keep working on what we’ve been working towards all camp and hopefully we’ll be ready for our first game right about now,
On protecting the ball: Our running backs are doing a great job holding onto it, and throwing the ball, it’s just making smart decisions and whenever something gets close to happening with a receiver, he’ll do a good job of knocking it down. We’ve been fortunate the past couple of practices to hang onto it and then making plays to make sure we do hold onto it.
On practicing against the secondary: It gets pretty hard going against those guys but we enjoy the challenge and obviously going against some of the best in the nation every day is very helpful for us, but I think we’ll be ready to move on here in the next couple of days
On learning from playing against the secondary: They’re moving around all the time and no one is in the same position as they were the last play so it’s hard to tell, but I think we are definitely picking up some stuff and that can only help us moving forward.
On having a go-to receiver: All the receivers are really working hard to become that guy and I’ve become really comfortable throwing it to each and every one of them, so I’m really excited about that core and that group of receivers as a whole.
RB Cody Johnson
On dropping body fat: Just being consistent in doing the right things as far as eating and conditioning was the most important thing. I didn't feel like I was slacking off, I just felt like I was not consistent. I was not seeing improvement as fast as I wanted to, so I was more vulnerable to giving up. After the bowl game, though, I just really dedicated myself regardless of if I saw improvement or not. I was still going to work at it.
On how he felt after learning of the body fat he had dropped: It was big relief and just showed that I could do it. As long as you stick with things, you can conqueror them.
On what he did in order to see those results: I did more running and more conditioning. I watched my eating habits and things like that. I worked harder and pushed myself more every day.
On the resulting benefits: My legs and my cuts are way better now. I was carrying more weight before, so just overall it has helped my legs a lot.
Senior CB Curtis Brown
On tomorrow’s scrimmage: The scrimmage tomorrow is really the last stage of two-a-days, and we are just going to go out there and play hard. It is just a last bit of pressure. You get in game situations and see who's prepared for the first game. That is where you have to show up – for the last scrimmage.
On the dome will be closed for the Rice game: I cannot lie, it is nice to hear the dome will be closed, but either way, as long as we are on some kind of field playing, we will be ready.
On the defense’s younger players: They are following us. They are paying attention. We are being good leaders to them, so as a group, young guys included, we're tight. We all work hard and push them. We do not allow any slack. They're expected to do everything that we do.
On how the defense is playing: Everybody is playing their heart out. You really can't tell the difference between the first team, second team, third team. Everyone is just playing to the best of their ability right now.
On the wide receivers: The older guys – James Kirkendoll, John Chiles, Malcolm Williams – have taken the younger guys under their wing. They have been very hands on with them. If anyone messes up, you can see the older guys come over and coach them. All of the underclassmen are following what the older guys are doing. It is an interesting group to watch practice.
LB Dravannti Johnson
On his role and cross-training positions: It’s real tough learning two positions and cross training a lot. I’ve been doing it the past couple of years and it’s tough to learn, but it’s finally coming around. I’m loving it being able to play linebacker and defensive end.
On having a specific skill set: Whatever coach tells me, I’m good, that’s what I’m good at. If my best assets are at linebacker, that’s what I’m going to go out there and do.
On getting positive feedback: The whole team is working hard in camp so I feel like everybody is working hard and I feel like we’re going to have a good team overall from what we’ve been doing in camp, all through summer and everything.
On the importance of the scrimmage: I feel like everybody just needs to go out there and play hard and work hard like we’ve been doing all through camp. Every day we’ve been out there grinding behind the leadership of the older guys on defense, the seniors, so just go out there and execute like we’ve been doing all camp and we’re going to wrap up a good camp.
On the offense taking care of the ball and the defense not getting turnovers and practice: We’re going to get them when they come. We’re going to fight every day to get turnovers. However they come, we’re going to get them. I can’t speak for the offense but they’ve been doing a great job of holding onto the ball and everything and we're just going to fight to get the ball back.
On two-a-days getting easier and practicing in the heat: I think when you’re a freshman you just have to get used to first of all being in college and playing with guys that are bigger, stronger and faster than what you’re used to, so of course for a freshman it’s going to be a little tough. It was tough for me coming in straight out of high school and I got out early so it was a culture shock coming up to all these guys that work at such a fast pace. We play so hard every day at practice, every play. They’ve been working hard though they’ve been doing real good and there are some good guys in that class. The heat, everybody faces the heat so we can’t complain about it.
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